Plating after lengthening (PAL): technical notes and preliminary clinical experiences

Introduction Shortening the period of time for the external fixator after limb lengthening decreases the complication rate and increases the patient satisfaction. Material and method We describe the plating after lengthening (PAL) as a new technique on five patients with limb length discrepancy (1 femoral, 4 tibial) who had lengthening procedure with Ilizarov technique. The mean amount of lengthening was 50 mm. The mean lengthening period was 100 days (5–135 days). When the lengthening period ended, the locking compression plate was applied percutaneously by using the technique of minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis, and the Ilizarov external fixator was removed. Results The fixator-free period was achieved at the beginning of the consolidation phase, except in two patients, which were delayed for plating because of pin-tract infection. No complication was encountered except in one patient who had limited flexion of knee joint. There was no need for blood transfusion. Discussion The PAL, which shortened the period of time for the external fixator, was an easy and safe method for the fixation of the bone after limb lengthening.     

Value of Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Perforated Appendicitis

Background The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy in patients with perforated appendicitis. Methods This study involved a total of 73 consecutive patients who had undergone appendectomy for perforated appendicitis between January 1999 and December 2004. While 39 patients underwent open appendectomy (OA) during the first 3 years, the remaining 34 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) during the last 3 years. Results There was no case of LA converted to OA. No significant difference was found in the operating time between the two groups. Laparoscopic appendectomy was associated with less analgesic use, earlier oral intake restart (LA, 2.6 days; OA, 5.1 days), shorter median hospital stay (LA, 11.7 days; OA, 25.8 days), and lower rate of wound infections (LA, 8.8%; OA, 43.6%). Conclusions These results suggest that LA for perforated appendicitis is a safe procedure that may prove to have significant clinical advantages over conventional surgery.     

Multiple Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Liver,Mimicking Cholangiocarcinoma with Tumor Embolus in the Hepatic Vein: Report of a Case

A 68-year-old Japanese woman complaining of general fatigue and intermittent high fever was admitted to our hospital. Abdominal ultrasonography showed two tumors in the lateral segment of the liver, with soft tissue in the left hepatic vein that was considered to be a tumor embolus. A diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma was made based on various radiological and laboratory examinations and therefore a surgical resection was performed. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of inflammatory cells, which had aggressively invaded the hepatic vein and Arantius' duct. The pathological diagnosis was inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) that had invaded the hepatic vein. Although many cases of hepatic IPT have been previously reported, cases of hepatic IPT massively invading the hepatic vein are very rare as far as we could determine, based on a literature search. We herein report this case and discuss the diagnosis and treatment regarding hepatic IPT with massive venous invasion.     

Glomerular eNOS gene expression during postnatal maturation and AT1 receptor inhibition

Glomerular maturation increases from immature superficial to advanced juxtamedullary nephrons, while nephrogenesis continues postnatally in porcine kidneys. Endothelial NOS, eNOS, shows significant postnatal renal developmental regulation, perhaps mediated by Angiotensin II (AII). The objective was to compare eNOS mRNA gene expression between superficial and juxtamedullary glomeruli obtained from piglets and adult pigs utilizing laser capture microdissection during basal conditions and, to determine the role of the AII AT1 receptor, AT1, after chronic AT1 inhibition (AT1X) with candesartan. Superficial glomerular eNOS expression was lowest in newborns (NB) and at 7 days, and was highest in 14, 21 day old piglets and adults. Juxtamedullary glomerular eNOS, while similar in NB, 14, 21 day and adult, dipped to the lowest level at 7 days. Juxtamedullary glomerular eNOS expression in the NB was 7 fold greater than in superficial glomeruli. AT1X did not change eNOS expression in adult glomeruli. AT1X significantly reduced NB eNOS expression in both superficial, 90 ± 10%, and juxtamedullary glomeruli, 89 ± 5% respectively. In conclusion, eNOS gene expression demonstrates significant differences between NB superficial and juxtamedullary glomeruli, significant postnatal developmental regulation of both glomerular locations, and this expression may be mediated in the NB by AII via the AT1 receptor.     

Mucin-producing Bile Duct Tumor of the Caudate Lobe Protruding into the Common Hepatic Duct

Mucin-producing tumor in the bile duct is referred to clinically as mucin-producing bile duct tumor (MPBT). Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the biliary tract that resembles an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas is a rare category of MPBT and is not well characterized. We, herein, report a case of MPBT of the caudate lobe of the liver that showed papillary growth and communicated with the bile duct of the caudate lobe and protruded into the common hepatic duct. Histologically, MPBT cells showed papillary overgrowth with abundant mucinous secretions, resembling an IPMN of the pancreas. The MPBT cells showed the same immunostaining pattern as that of cells from IPMN of the pancreas.     

Male overactive bladder: The role of urodynamics and anticholinergics

Millions of men suffer from overactive bladder and lower urinary tract symptoms. The adverse effects on quality of life and costs associated with the condition have been well described. In men, the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms may be from a number of causes including bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor overactivity, or both. Increasing data and clinical experience support the efficacy and safety of anticholinergics in men; the rate of urinary retention has been equal to that of placebo in short-term studies. Urodynamics play a vital role in defining the bladder and/or outlet dysfunction and help direct one’s therapy.     

Effects of traditional “<Emphasis Type="Italic">Juci</Emphasis>” (contralateral acupuncture) on orofacial nociceptive behavior in the rat

Purpose “Juci”, one of the traditional acupuncture techniques, means contralateral acupuncture; i.e., implanting a needle into an acupoint to treat a given disease or disorder, but on the side of the body opposite to the diseased side. The aim of this study was: (1) to assess acupuncture effects on formalin-induced nociceptive behavior in the orofacial region in the rat, and (2) to evaluate the efficacy of Juci in the orofacial formalin test. Methods Forty-four adult male Wistar rats were used in the present study. A 1.0% formalin solution (25 μl s.c., diluted in saline) was injected into the right upper lip. The rats were randomly assigned to five groups. (1) The control group (n = 9), which received formalin injection without acupuncture pretreatment; (2) the ipsilateral Ho-ku (see note below) acupuncture group (n = 10); (3) the contralateral Ho-ku acupuncture group (n = 11); (4) the acupuncture plus naloxone group (n = 9), where intraperitoneal naloxone (1.0 mg·kg⁻¹) was injected immediately before acupuncture pretreatment; and (5) the sham acupuncture group (n = 5). “Ho-ku” is the term used for the “Large Intestine 4” acupoint, located between the first and second metacarpal bones. Results The injection of formalin produced the characteristic biphasic behavioral response. Acupuncture significantly inhibited the response in the early and late phases. Naloxone significantly reversed these effects. There were no statistically significant differences between the ipsilateral and Juci acupuncture groups. Sham acupuncture did not exert any significant effect on the formalin-induced behavior. Conclusion Our results showed that the degree of effectiveness of Juci was similar to that of the ipsilateral acupuncture technique. Therefore, the Juci technique is also useful for the treatment of orofacial pain.     

Surgical device closure a new technique of ASD closure

Background Conventional approach of atrial septal defect (ASD) closure with cardio pulmonary bypass using mid sternotomy, minimally invasive or endoscopic technique is time tested. We decided to use custom made device with direct minimally invasive approach without cardio pulmonary bypass. Percutaneous transfemoral route using custom made device is a well established procedure performed by interventional cardiologist with occasional trauma and vessels. Method We performed the procedure in 3 patients of secundum ASD deemed adequate for device closure. We used a mini Right anterior thoracotomy approach using a double umbrella device which was implanted through direct Right Atrial puncture. Results In two patients we were successful in deploying the device. The proedure lasted 30 minutes with small infra Mammary scar and the post operative period was uneventful. In the third case where our attempt at surgical device closure failed the inferior margin was only one mm. The optimal size device kept slipping into the right atrium when the guide-wire was tugged after final deployment. The placement of an oversize device distorted the mitral valve, may causing regurgitation. Conclusion We think that this is a simple and safe technique of secundum ASD closure without cardio pulmonary bypass.     

Sonographic assessment of normal kidney dimensions in the first year of life—a study of 992 healthy infants

The omission of standards for renal length in infants younger than 1 year may result in a statistically significant increase in the frequency of “spurious” nephromegaly. Nonetheless, there are only a few reports specifically dealing with normal kidney dimensions in infants. Based on sonographic assessments performed on a sample of 992 healthy infants, between January 2002 and December 2004, this paper sets up standards for normal kidney dimensions in children aged 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–9 months, and 9–12 months and establishes correlations between kidney dimensions (length, width, and volume) and body length and weight. Linear as well as non-linear nomograms, with percentiles for all the kidney variables examined, based on body length, are provided. Also, statistically significant differences in mean values (P = 0.000) for all the observed neonatal kidney parameters, depending on gestational age at birth, are demonstrated. Principal advantages of our nomograms are that they are based on a large number of examined healthy infants and that kidney dimensions are related to body length. In addition, subjects are divided into four sub-annual age groups demonstrating gender-related differences in renal growth dynamics. Our linear nomograms are easier to use for routine clinical practice, but the percentile-based non-linear nomograms we present cover a much wider range of variations in normal infant kidney dimensions.